The CBU Swim and Dive team consists of multiple teams, each putting in the work to create something incredible when they come together. Preparation for this season has involved more than just practice hours; the team has built strong relationships, grown individually and remained dedicated to personal responsibility.
The CBU Swim and Dive team started the season with an impressive showing from both newcomers to the team and familiar faces. The four-team duel on Oct. 13 and 14 saw the CBU square off against Seattle University, GCU and Denver University, showcasing the team’s hard work in the off-season.
This season the team has big goals with their eyes set on the NCAA Championships. While this goal is ambitious, the Swim and Dive team is up to the challenge.
“[Our] biggest goal is to qualify athletes for the NCAA Championships at the end of March,” said Jim Bossert, associate head coach for the swim and dive programs. “Last season we had our first two athletes, Remi Fabiani and Gael Jimenez, represent CBU at the NCAA Championships. We look to continue that going forward.”
While the NCAA Championships have taken precedence in D1 competition, the team still focuses on great performances in every WAC match they’re involved in.
“A top two finish at the WAC Championship for our men is in the forefront of their mind as well as a top five finish for our ladies,” said Bossert.
The CBU Swim and Dive team prioritizes their goals both in and out of the water. The captains of each team are taking personal responsibility to create relationships that make the team a supportive and uplifting environment.
“As captain, I hope to build more team pride,” said Paul Rasoumoff, senior chemical engineering major, sprinter and captain of the men’s swim team. “I want the team to feel more like a team than ever before, and I hope to see as many people as possible put Christ at the center of their lives. We have a close group of guys, and I hope to build those relationships. I wish to leave the team, having improved the team atmosphere and set the men up to dominate at conferences this year and in years to come.”
These goals are reflected across the board in the program and demonstrate the players’ commitment not just to winning but to each other.
As the CBU swim and dive team prepare for the season, they reflected on their previous training. Maintaining a consistent schedule year-round is essential, especially when you have someone like Mia Maspers, senior architecture major, sprinter and captain of the CBU women’s swim team, who starts her preparation way back in the spring.
“Preparation for this season for me personally starts as soon as I finish WAC. Being international, we swim all year round. So, reflecting on how the season went and taking all of that going forward into the long course [summer] season not only makes me prepared for the next season at CBU but also keeps me in check,” Maspers said.
With all this preparation going into the season, the players and coaches alike are anticipating the upcoming competition.
“Any time there is a chance to race conference opponents is a great meet that we look forward to,” said Bossert. “We have two invitationals this fall, Trailblazer Invite at Utah Tech Nov 16-18 and the UNLV Invite Dec 17-19, that we really use as a stepping stone towards the conference championships at the of February.”
The team has done well in the past and continues to perform in-peak conditions. Mia Maspers reflected on this success.
“Our sport sometimes gets underappreciated and forgotten about. We have some great athletes on our team with some amazing talent! Swimmers and Divers made NCAA’s last year and many of our swimmers break school and WAC records. It’s CBU history being made, and nobody recognizes it,” she said.
Despite the challenges ahead, the swim team has a variety of strengths they hope to capitalize on this upcoming season.
“Strengths definitely include our diving team. They have a phenomenal team chemistry and push each other every day to be the best they can be. The accomplishments throughout our program history rely on strength of our divers. On the men’s side we have tremendous depth in each event,” said Bossert. “For our women’s swim side, our strength lies in the amount of talent and potential and trust our ladies have with themselves and one another. No women are left behind and everyone is working together towards the team’s common goal.”
Though the team has many parts – swim, dive, men and women – they are one body. All parts function separately, down to the individual, to create a successful unit of a team.
“There are no events where we see cracks or a weakness,” said Bossert. “Our roster is full of versatile and hungry athletes.”
